CULTIVATING PANSIES IN POTS. 



117 



as several species of Myrtus, Jasminum, Hibiscus, Hermannia, Helio- 

 tropium, &c., require rich loam, lightened with leaf soil, without any 



portion of peat. , , , , -rr 



Plants with powerful roots, and but slender heads, as Veronica, 

 Senecio, Scutelaria, Ruellia, Mauradia, &c., require a light sandy soil, 

 mixed with a small portion of leaf mould and very rotten dung. At 

 the time of potting always lay plenty of potsherds at the bottom of 

 each pot to give a good drainage. , . •„ r^ 



It will be seen that those directions do not allude to either Ur- 

 chideous. Succulent, or Aquatic plants. 



Many of the Orchidacese are parasitical, and require a portion ot 

 decayed wood mixing with the soil ; others grow in damp moss, these 

 being chiefly stove plants they will not flourish in a room. Ihere are 

 several genera that do very well both in the greenhouse and in rooms, 

 as Arethusia, Calopogon, Dendrobium, Ophrys, &c., the soil suitable 

 for the^e is a mixture of about equal parts of light sandy loam and 

 peat ; very little or no water must be given when they are not in a 

 growing state. 



Succulent plants of all descriptions require very little water, and are in 

 general very easily managed in rooms ; many of them thrive in a mix- 

 ture of sandy soil and lime rubbish, as Aloe, Cacalia, Cactus, Aizoon, 

 &c., others grow well in a mixture of peat and loam, as Cons, Cotyle- 

 don, Mesembryanthemum, &c. 



Aquatic plants, as Villarsia, Actinocarpus, &c., generally do well 

 in a mixture of peat and loam, and require to be kept constantly in a 

 wet state ; indeed the best way is to place the pot m a deep pan or 

 feeder, which should always be kept full of water. 



Bulbs of most sorts flourish in rooms with less care than most other 



kinds of plants. , i i i 



If the above precautions be attended to, plants may be brought 

 nearly, if not altogether, to as much perfection as in a greenhouse. I 

 am an ardent admirer of flowers, and by an extensive pursuit ot the 

 culture of plants in rooms for ten years, I have had as healthy and 

 fine-bloomed specimens as I ever saw in plant structures. I oug-lit to 

 observe, the windows are large, and what are termed bow windows, 

 and full south. 



CULTIVATING PANSIES IN POTS. 



BY VIOLA. 



In March, 1846, I potted a quantity of Pansies, in pots 12 to the 

 cast, in a good sandy loam, with one-third of old rotten cow-dung, i 

 had a free drainage, and the soil unsifted. The plants bloomed ad- 

 mirably, and as I kept them in a three-light frame I could admit wha 

 air I required, readily shade from sun, excess of wet, &c. 1 did not 

 lose one plant, nor were they in the least aff-ected by mildew. Having 

 them in pots allows me to examine the plants, to earth up and strike 

 shoots by layering, &c. I find it is an entire preservative through 

 winter to have young plants potted singly, in small pots, at the end of 

 September, and be kept from frost in a dry pit or irame. I dul not 

 lose a plant, out of about 300, during the past winter. 



